The significant commercial value of the Garden Route region, its mild climate and astonishing wealth of biodiversity were all instrumental in the creation of the Garden Route Botanical Garden Trust (GRBGT). The notion of the Garden was originally mooted during the 1960’s. The idea persisted until finally during the early 1990’s, a branch of the Botanical Society of South Africa was founded by a group of local members and their first project was the establishment of the GRBG which eventually became the independent Non-profit organisation (NPO) (NPO 009-676) the Garden Route Botanical Garden Trust (GRBGT) (Trust No IT 2704-97). The GRBGT is based at 49 Caledon Street, George.

As the age of technological advance accelerates, George is likewise experiencing rapid growth. Offering a magnificent environment and sound infrastructure, technology makes it possible to conduct business regardless of where one resides. These factors make George a very attractive destination both for business people and retirees, which has resulted in the city’s very rapid growth over the past 20+ years.

MOTIVATION:

While economic growth is the lifeblood of any city, conversely this triggers an almost insatiable appetite for land – both for business and residential purposes to keep pace with the resultant population growth. This fact was recognised many years ago and maintaining the biodiversity of the region necessitated the preservation of our natural history in tandem with the development of our city. This is particularly true in respect of activities which offer opportunities for:

Recreation – a place of tranquillity and beauty, where tourists and locals alike can benefit from being outdoors in a multi-dimensional environment reflecting the impressive biodiversity of the Garden Route

In the above context therefore a major function of the GRBG is to both maintain the genetic material of our region’s flora and vegetation (for research and future rehabilitation projects) and to create a living collection of these plants of the Garden Route (for environmental education of the ever increasing population of the region and to create a safe haven for plants, animals and people). Hence the need to maintain a Botanical Garden of high quality is of integral importance.

PURPOSE:

The sole and principal object of this NPO is engaging in the conservation, rehabilitation and protection of the natural environment, including the flora and fauna of the biosphere primarily through the Garden Route Botanical Garden and the Southern Cape Herbarium. These aims are fulfilled by means of a number of projects which the Garden Route Botanical Garden drives.

These projects include the following

A sustainable harvesting project in which we encourage the sustainable harvesting of indigenous medicinal plants within the Garden Route Botanical Garden

Environmental education through outreach programmes (such as tree plantings) and by means of the Garden Route Environmental Education Centre

Maintaining and displaying a living collection of the highly diverse plant species found within the Southern Cape. This is of the most important aims of a Botanical Garden which needs to be maintained in the highest quality, both genetically and aesthetically in order to preserve the significance of the collection with regards to both environmental education and aesthetic appeal.

Due to the importance of this activity in order to ensure the functionality and beauty of a botanical garden, it is a priority for the GRBGT. It is currently a major project driven by an excited and driven team to bring the standards of the GRBGT’s living collection up to the international standards for which we strive. This has involved redesigning many beds in our garden, creating relevant interpretative signage and accessioned (recorded) plant labels, and accessing and propagating the relevant plant material.

PROPOSAL:

Since the GRBGT is a Trust driven NPO depending largely on sustained consistent funding this highly significant project is currently unable to generate the vital energy input that we are anticipating with the help of your company.

In this context we propose that your company sponsor a thematic bed or beds in the GRBGT. The themed bed will be entirely your preference. You’ll have a number of choices, e.g.:

Succulent collections

Fynbos displays

Afromontane forest beds

Permaculture gardens

Every bed has a specific theme and a detailed management plan dictating its use to facilitate environmental education and increasing awareness regarding the importance of preservation of indigenous plants of the Southern Cape. These plans will be used within our education plans in conjunction with the Garden Route Environmental Education Centre. We appeal for your support in providing funds for developing the bed (extra man power and a contribution to the purchase and propagation of accessioned plant material), maintaining the bed (additional labour to assist our staff) and interpretative signage.

There are a number of ways in which we will acknowledge your support of this cause. As a registered NPO/PBO (Public Benefit Organisation), your donation will qualify for a tax exemption certificate. We will also offer space on all interpretative signage in the bed/s you sponsor to acknowledge your company’s contribution to the Garden. In addition we would also offer free membership of the garden for up to 10 of your staff. The various project options you can choose from are attached.

To acquire a detailed description of each garden bed and its significance, please contact Finn Rautenbach using the following email: Manager@botanicalgarden.org.za

Sincere thanks for your time and consideration in supporting the Garden Route Botanical Garden.

Saturday the first of September marks the start of our Arbour Week at the Garden Route Botanical Garden Nursery.This celebration will continue until the seventh of September.

Expect to find a diverse range of healthy indigenous plant species available at affordable prices, including a notable range of different tree species. Selected plants will be sold at discounted prices.

Podocarpus latifolius (the Yellow wood) is the South African common tree of the year. In celebration of this, we will be selling yellow wood seedlings for R 10.00 each

170 Fynbos plants were planted, each of which with a personal prayer for World Peace and Harmony on Earth.

This years focus was a commemoration to Nelson Mandela. 67 King Proteas where planted to symbolise the 67 years mr mandela devoted to serving our beloved country. The other plants include a diversity of proteas, Erica’s, leucodendrons and leucospermums.

The Garden Route Botanical Garden (GRBG) has an exciting programme lined up for science week this year, which takes place from 30 July to 4 August. The programme is aimed mainly at learners and the theme this year is “Deepening our democracy through science.”
• GRBG will collaborate with Nelson Mandela University to offer a course by Dr Tony Rebelo of the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). The topic is “iNaturalist – an introduction to citizen science and how you can contribute”. Two kid’s courses on this topic will be presented on 30 July. Book early, as space is limited. Contact herbariumcurator@botanicalgarden.org.za or phone 044 874 1558. An adult course on this topic can be booked with Di Turner at di@strawberryhill.co.za.
• The highlight of this year’s programme is a pantomime by the award-winning Klikkerland. Performances of their shows are taking place in the GRBG as well as the Thembalethu Youth and Science Centre (TYSC). Bookings for the GRBT can be made at herbariumcurator@botanicalgarden.org.za / 044 874 1558. For the TYSC shows, contact Nadine Nortier on Nadine.nortier87@gmail.com / 073 279 8326.
Other exciting presentations to look forward to include:
• “Ecological intelligence” presented by the Landmark Foundation
• “Jobs for Carbon/Puzzles” presented by the Gouritz Biosphere Reserve
• Food Gardens presented by Finn Rautenbach
• Soil is life presented by Lorrinda Hakimi
• Reptiles we encounter presented by Nick Kolberg
• Botanical gardens: what they mean to society presented by Matt Seager
• Living Maths, (teachers training workshops on the afternoons 1 and 2 August) presented by Steve Sherman
• Chemistry: the use of Energy and where it comes from presented by Dr Louw Claasens
• Science of infectious diseases and the workings of the body by Dr Bert Hoogenboort
• An exciting 3D video titled Garden: How it is made will be presented by Werner Eckron.
• Heidendal Primary will present a short play about hygiene.
• Starry, starry night – a look at our heavens, will take place on Tuesday 31 July from 19:00 until 21:00 and again on Thursday 2 August at the GRBG Discovery Centre Telescope Pad. Pre-book with Gabby on 044 874 1558. This will be the first time the garden’s new telescope will be in action. GRBG thanks Case Rijsdijk for organising this as a permanent fixture in the garden.

Give yourself the gift of well-being and accompany us for a Yoga & Hiking Retreat at The Garden Route Botanical Garden, George, where you will be surrounded by the stunning natural landscapes of the Botanical Garden and the majestic Outeniqua Mountains. Enjoy a 1.5 hour Yoga session with Amè(YTT200 Qualified Yoga Instructor). Let the beauty, smells and sounds of the environment bombard your senses and depart feeling revived, relaxed and rejuvenated!

Programme: 08h00: Welcoming at the Getafix Restaurant with a glass of fresh juice.

08h10: Yoga will take place in the Botanical Garden or indoors on an unpleasant day.

Enjoy an afternoon of live classic rock and pop from the 60’s 70’s and beyond. This is one to put in your diaries for a wonderful afternoon of picnicking, partying and live rock ‘n’ roll music as only Cloud 9 know how.Come and enjoy the wonderful Botanical Garden and then get ready for some fun in the fairly sheltered, lawned / treed bandstand (Gazebo) area. Don’t forget your dancing shoes!

GEORGE/GARDEN ROUTE SCHNAUZERS! Join us for the second George Schnauzer Friends Fun Walk/Picnic on Saturday the 27th of January 2018 at the Botanical Gardens, 49 Caledon street, George. (Meet at 16:45 – we will be walking at 17:00 sharp). Entrance fee at the Botanical Garden for non-members is R10 per person (not per dog) and FREE for members. ALL socialised schnauzers WELCOME !!! (Small non Schnauzer siblings are welcome as long as they are socialised and love Schnauzers (it’s not fair to leave them at home!!)

Meeting Spot: The walk will start on the open lawn section opposite the public toilets, 49 Caledon Street, George (Parkrun Meeting spot).

Hosted by: Annabel Bovey – Schnauzer Mom to Oliver.

We will walk for about an hour in total and then have a picnic afterwards (optional) please bring your own snacks and drinks.

All dogs must be socialized. Bring your own water, sunscreen etc. We walk our dogs off the leash but you can also walk your dog on the leash if you’d prefer that.

ALL dogs who come on the walk MUST have a collar with a disc with the owners contact number on it in case the dog gets lost or separated from the owner. Please also bring a leash just in case you need it. I also recommend that you put something on your schnauzers collar that will help identify them, like a ribbon of a certain color. It is sometimes craziness and you just want to make it a little bit easier to recognize your schnauzer in a beautiful pack of happy schnauzers !!

NOTE: This is social walk, not an official event in any way – everyone is participating at their own risk. You are wholly responsible for your dog(s).

If it is raining we might cancel so please be sure to check the page if in doubt. Contact Annabel on annabel.rootman@gmail.com or 073 270 3438 if you have any questions.

The Num num is one of our well-known and wonderful indigenous species. I believe this to be a versatile plant for most gardens. It has scented star-shape flowers which are both beautiful and attract insects, it has delicious edible fruit that attract birds to the garden, it does wonderfully as a hedge plant, and makes excellent bonsai. The Num num is a medium to large shrub, mostly they attain up to three meters in height, there are many different cultivars including prostrate varieties.